Aortic valve stenosis narrows the valve between the left ventricle and the aorta, which can reduce forward blood flow and raise pressure inside the heart.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Patients may notice chest discomfort, shortness of breath with exertion, or episodes of lightheadedness and loss of consciousness.
Evaluation usually starts with an echocardiogram and electrocardiogram. Additional imaging or stress testing may be used when the diagnosis still needs clarification.
Treatment Planning
Once symptoms begin, valve replacement is often the main treatment discussion. Depending on the patient's anatomy and overall condition, that may mean surgery or a minimally invasive structural heart procedure.
TCA's structural heart pathway includes evaluation for transcatheter options such as TAVR and TAVI when appropriate.